FLORIDA BEWARE: Jury Duty Scams

Beware of Jury Duty Scams

A fairly old scam that's commonly known as the "Jury Duty Scam," has been recirculating around Florida recently. Any caller asking for personal information should automatically be a red flag as potential fraud. Follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim. 

How The Scam Works

Victims receive a phone call from someone who identifies themselves as an "officer of the court." The "officer" says that an arrest warrant has been issued for failure to appear for jury duty. According to them, in order to resolve the issue they will need to collect information for "verification purposes.". This information may include your date of birth, Social Security number and even a credit card number to pay a fine. 

Other instances include the criminal asking for payment of a fee with a prepaid debit card or a Green Dot Money Pack card.

Many fall victim to this fraud and before they realized what happened and the criminal has time to open new accounts and credit cards and is able to access personal banking and financial information.  Consumers have been defrauded out of thousands of dollars- prevention can only happen with YOU. 

Avoid Becoming Victim

• Court workers NEVER request payments from jurors over the telephone, nor do they ask for personal information such as SSNs or credit card numbers. If a consumer is unable to fulfill jury duty, they are typically asked to provide an explanation or directed to appear in court. 
• NEVER give out personal information when answering an unsolicited phone call.
• If you receive a call from someone requesting payments for "failing to report for jury duty," HANG UP THE PHONE- it's a scam. 
• If you receive this type of call you should immediately contact the local law enforcement agency and the clerk's office at the nearest district court to report it.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state's clearinghouse for consumer information, protection and complaints. For additional information, contact the department's Consumer Assistance Center at�www.800helpfla.com�r call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) en Español.

Grill Safety Tips

Grilling is a popular summertime tradition! Little is more enjoyable than a summer cookout with friends and family. This time of the year, backyard chefs around the country are firing up their grills and mixing their favorite marinades. The majority of cookouts turn out incident-free, but accidents can and do happen.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, gas grills are responsible for 7,200 home fires every year. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services advises consumers to follow these simple tips for safe grilling. Propane Grill Do's Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep written materials and manuals in a safe, accessible place. Clean the grill regularly. Grease and fat buildup is a major source of flare ups and accidental fires. Check the gas tank hose (at a minimum annually) for leaks before using. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. Make sure the gas grill is shut off and cooled off before covering it after use. Always store propane tanks outside, in an upright position, and in areas where temperatures won't exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When filling or exchanging a cylinder, have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust or leaks. Propane Grill Don'ts Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder. Propane is highly flammable. Do not leave your grill unattended. Do not store a spare LP cylinder on or near a grill. Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks. Do not use, store or transport a cylinder where it will be exposed to high temperatures. Visit our website and contact Principle Insurance- be SURE you're properly insured!

FEMA Flood Insurance: Refund Procedures

FEMA issued a bulletin which addresses refund procedures for policies affected by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012, (BW12) and the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.  

You can access the Bulletin by clicking here: http://www.nfipiservice.com/Stakeholder/FEMA3/W-14035.html

Here's a breakdown of what you'll find:

Section 3- Beginning October 1, 2014, refunds will be issued for the following types of Pre-FIRM policies:

• New policies effective on or after October 1, 2013, covering Pre-FIRM buildings newly insured on or after the enactment of BW12 (July 6, 2012), that were charged full-risk rates, tentative rates or provisional rates on or after October 1, 2013.
• Renewal policies covering Pre-FIRM buildings that were newly insured with Pre-FIRM subsidized rates on or after July 6, 2012 and before October 1, 2013, and that renewed on or after October 1, 2013, with full-risk rates, tentative rates or provisional rates.
• Policies covering Pre-FIRM buildings where the building was insured with Pre-FIRM subsidized rates prior to July 6, 2012, and the building was newly purchased on or after July 6, 2012, and where the policy was endorsed upon assignment, and was charged full-risk rates, tentative rates, or provisional rates effective on or after October 1, 2013.
• Policies covering Pre-FIRM buildings with Pre-FIRM subsidized rates prior to July 6, 2012, where the policy lapsed and was reinstated with a reinstatement effective date on or after October 4, 2012, and was subsequently charged full-risk rates, tentative rates, or provisional rates on or after October 1, 2013.
• Policies renewing with Pre-FIRM subsidized rates effective on or after October 1, 2013, covering Pre-FIRM primary residence buildings originally insured before July 6, 2012, where continuous coverage with Pre-FIRM subsidized rates has been maintained.

Section 5-  FEMA is prohibited from increasing rates more than 15% per year within a single rate class, or more than 18% for any individual policyholder.  Refunds will be issued for all policies, including PRPEEs that exceeded the premium increase caps.  Eligibility will be based on policies with an effective date of March 21, 2014 or later.  This applies for New Business and Renewals on both Pre-FIRM and Post-FIRM buildings.   

However, there are exceptions that are not eligible for a refund:

• Pre-FIRM properties receiving subsidized rates subject to the BW12’s mandatory 25% rate increases for; Non-primary Residences, Businesses, Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) properties, including Cumulative Loss Properties and substantially damaged or improved properties.
• Properties located in a community that loses its Community Rating System (CRS) standing.
• Increases in premium due to a decrease in the deductible or an increase in coverage.
• Misrated properties.

Premium refunds will be completed by either a policy change endorsement or by cancelling and re-writing a policy.  The WYO insurers cannot begin issuing HFIAA refunds until October 1, 2014 and are required to complete issuing all refunds by December 31, 2014.  They will be issuing the refunds as fast as possible. Refunds will be mailed to the named insured on the policy regardless of the payer. 

Contact Principle Insurance with your questions!

www.principleins.com

FREE Classes for Kids in Pinellas County, FL

                                      

Clearwater Community Learning Center 

offers great FREE weekly classes 

for kids over the summer!  

Check these out and visit their website for more details

Chess Club:  Tuesdays from 3pm - 4pm with Laura Sherman -kids of all ages are welcome. 

You can get more info or get in touch with Laura here; https://www.facebook.com/groups/622348214519135/

Art Classes:  Thursdays from 4pm - 5pm with Gimena Boccadoro -kids of all ages are welcome

Piano lessons:  Fridays from 3:30pm - 5pm with Kathy Roberts -kids of all ages are welcome

Math Boot Camp: Runs through Thursday, July 24th. It happens every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm - 8:30pm. Cost is $180 for the entire six weeks or you can pay as you go, $20 per session. This is for kids of all ages.

All classes are held at the Community Learning Center - 

1411 N Fort Harrison Ave

Clearwater, FL 33755. 

For more info and to register, please call the Center at (727) 441-4444.


Visit the Principle Insurance website- click here!

Hurricane Season Is Here!

Check out this Fact Sheet published by the 

National Flood Insurance Program!

Email

with your flood questions!  

We offer complimentary advice and pride ourselves on educating clients to better protect themselves and loved ones 

from devastating losses.

727-289-7219

www.principleins.com

Now in Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, & Texas- 

with California and North Dakota coming soon!

Flood Insurance Update: First Sign of Relief From FEMA

FEMA announced on Tuesday April 15, 2014 that effective May 1, 2014 some homeowners will begin to see relief after the signing into law of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.  

The following are affected: 

• Homeowners who purchased new homes after the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act became law on July 6, 2012
• Homeowners who did not have Flood Insurance before July 6, 2012 
• Homeowners whose insurance lapsed

If you fall into any of the above categories, your rates will revert back to premium schedules that were in effect Oct. 1, 2013.

What this means is the policyholders who meet the criteria will not be charged premiums based on the full risk for their homes as required by Biggert-Waters Act, but cancelled by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. The new FEMA guidelines were sent out to the insurance companies who process applications for flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance system. 

While some are calling this a big step in Flood Insurance Reform- FEMA has not yet determined how to alter future rates for homeowners who will keep their grandfathered subsidized rates as result of the new flood insurance law. The grandfathering provision was cancelled by Biggert-Waters for people whose homes are a higher risk on the new FEMA flood maps, but was then restored by the new legislation (HFIAA).  

Could that be any more confusing?!?  

Email us here with your questions

FEMA also said that it has to work out a process to refund higher premiums for people who bought homes and who already have been paying the un-subsidized rates.  

You can count on us for your Flood Insurance advice and quotes- we're FEMA and private market specialists!  

Update: Flood Insurance Legislation

Breaking News: House passes Flood Insurance Bill

Next they will draft a final copy to send to the Senate where it has strong support.

Read more here

In a national article published in the Insurance Journal this week the House could vote on a bill to delay some of the looming Flood Insurance rate hikes. 

Here is what the bill will accomplish if passed:

• Provides retroactive refunds for people who have had large flood insurance rate increases due to the sale or purchase of a home
• Will cap average annual premium increases at 15 percent 
• Will allow subsidies for insurance rates that are based on current flood maps
• Adds non-mandatory language directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to “strive to minimize the number of policies with annual premiums that exceed one percent of the total coverage.”
• Requires FEMA to notify communities and members of Congress of remapping as well as models used in the mapping process.

The House bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), though it has over 230 co-sponsors and it has notably even won the support of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) who is one of the architects of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012- which is what caused the increases in the first place. 

The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America is also supporting the bill and urging its members to contact their lawmakers to ask them to vote for it.

I understand that the drastic changes have caused panic in many homeowners, investors, and renters alike- I hope that my staying educated on what's going on in the market and on Capital Hill will help to put some minds at ease. Be sure to contact me with any of your questions or if you're interested in the private alternative in Flood Insurance.

We offer an alternative to FEMA's Flood Insurance!

  

Contact Principle Insurance for more information

727-289-7219

855-329-7199

info@principleins.com

www.principleins.com

Click here to contact me by email!

Owner and Agent, Molly Rienerth

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Principle Insurance on Twitter

Update: Bi-Partisan Flood Insurance Legislation

House Flood Insurance Bill Is Expected to Ease Premium Increases

The House of Representatives are reviewing the Flood Insurance Legislation this week and there are signs that reforms might be passed before the middle of March. The proposed legislation has bi-partisan support with 177 Democrats and 58 Republicans co-sponsoring the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.

It is being reported that the following legislation is included in the house bill:

• The house bill as amended would repeal Section 207 "Grandfather Provisioned" properties of the Biggert-Waters Act. The Senate bill that was passed was only a four-year delay of Section 207.

• Property owners that saw their rates increase after the Bigger-Waters Act went into affect would be provided a retroactive refund.

• Currently FEMA uses it's own discretion in the flood insurance rate increases,hence the drastic rate increases for property owners. The House bill would cap the annual rate increase at 15%, with a minimum of 5% rate increase for homes that need to reach their actuarial rate. 

• In order to make the NFIP solvent, the House version would charge NFIP policy holders a $250 annual assessment fee for second-homes and commercial properties. A $25-$50 annual assessment fee would be charged for a primary home policy.

• Just like the Senate bill, the House bill does not cover repetitive damaged properties.

 Contact your local Representative to thank them for their leadership 

and urge them to vote YES on H.R. 3370!

Have Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act questions?  

Looking for private flood insurance for your coastal property?

Click here to contact us by email! 

727-289-7219 local

    855-329-7199 toll free
   www.principleins.com

Molly Rienerth

 Owner & Agent

mrienerth@principleins.com

Update: Bi-Partisan Flood Insurance Legislation

At the same time the Senate was voting to move a  bill to delay the drastic hikes in flood insurance rates, the White House released a statement that the Obama Administration does not support the proposed bi-partisan flood insurance legislation. Please join others on Twitter in letting the White House know that there is strong support for flood insurance reforms that would provide relief for American homeowners by tweeting this message to your followers:

@BarackObama @WhiteHouse Support congress's bipartisan efforts to fix #floodinsurance for working-class American homeowners. 

The Senate bill is expected to pass today or tomorrow and move to the House of Representatives.  There are 180 co-sponsors of the bill which come from both parties- and the House Speaker John Boehner said that the Republican-led House may consider it.

"Popular Flood Insurance Law Is Target of Both Political Parties" New York Times- January 29, 2014

Please continue to contact your local Representative and U.S. Senator to work to find a long-term solution for the flood insurance rate increases.

Here is the contact information for my fellow Floridians:

Congressman Gus Bilirakis Contact: Josh Reiner  D.C. Office:  (202) 225-5755 Twitter: @RepGusBilirakis	Congresswoman Kathy Castor  Contact: Kevin Karpay  D.C. Office: (202)225-3376  Twitter: @USRepKCastor
US Senator Bill Nelson      D.C. Office: (202) 224-5274 Twitter: @SenBillNelson   Click here to contact Molly Rienerth  Click here! Principle Insurance has access to the private Flood Insurance market! 727-289-7219 local 855-329-7199 toll free www.principleins.com	US Senator Marco Rubio     Contact: Darren Achord   D.C. Office: (202) 224-3041 Twitter: @marcorubio Owner and Principal Agent of Principle Insurance

Ask an Agent: Increased Premiums

Q. I have had coverage with the same carrier for years, have good credit, a clean driving record and no claims but my premium continues to increase- why?

A.  Unfortunately for the consumer (myself included) we don't get much say, or any at all rather, in what our insurance rates will be.  Hopefully though, I can make it a bit easier to understand and also offer some advice in coping with the insurance markets throughout your lifetime.  In this blog I will answer the question asked above by explaining how your insurance premiums are determined and how the market condition will affect them. My goal is to offer you confidence in your insurance related decisions and premiums.

While we can control certain factors which are used to determine our rates (for example; credit, driving record, insurance score), we have no control over the actuarial rates or premiums.  All insurance companies use their own "rating basis" that are used to determine rates based on the risks involved. The risk and premiums associated are determined by actuaries, who are statisticians hired by the companies.

Without getting into the logistics (because let's face it, I'm no statistician) we can say that the increase in premiums would be directly linked to an increase in risk.  So naturally, when the risks around us increase, our premiums will increase.  Then if you consider the fact that the very definition of insurance includes the term "risk pooling," which means the majority contributing funds to pay for the losses of the minority, it becomes apparent why your rates occasionally increase when you aren't the one who's filed claims or gotten tickets in your vehicle.

Besides the concept of risk pooling and the increased premiums due to losses and risk increase there can also be increases based on the condition of the company you're insured with.  If the insurance company that you're insured with begins to struggle financially, for instance, they will likely increase the rates to make up for it.  This is an excellent reason to stay insured with an A rated company- and also why I chose to partner only with A rated or better (A+ through A+++) companies at Principle Insurance.

Not only does the condition of the company your insured with matter, but the condition of the market does as well.  Like many other markets, the insurance market can be either hard and soft - we are in the midst of a "hard market."  Premiums across the board have increased and competition between companies becomes very minimal because they are all offering the same thing for the same price.  A soft market is the opposite- when there is a lot of competition in the market and the buyer is more likely to shop extensively for the most competitive coverage and rate.

Coping with a "hard market" can be frustrating for consumers faced with seemingly inexplicably higher insurance premiums.  The shopping often turns from being strictly rate based, to coverage and service based.  Underwriting also becomes much more strict and policies become harder to obtain.  This is extremely great news for surplus and excess lines agents, who specialize with "hard to place" risks.

The good news is that there is a constant cycle in the insurance markets, so what is once hard will again go back the other way.  Stricter underwriting and less competition inevitably result in a decrease in losses and therefore an increase in reserves- which generally lowers premiums.  Keep in mind that this works within each individual insurance company based on their book of business and financial stability, but the hard and soft market usual do exist pretty regularly across all companies simultaneously.

So in this blog I have answered the "Why me?" question regarding your insurance premiums.  Risk pooling, financial condition of the company you're dealing with, and market condition all contribute- and though you may feel like you're being targeted for having a clean driving record or being responsible, you're not.  It's how the markets work and means they are working properly.

Just be patient and things in the market will adjust.  Be sure to shop your policies at each renewal and make sure you have a licensed and insured agent that you trust!

Contact Molly Rienerth

Principle Insurance, Inc.

7219 Bryan Dairy Rd.  Seminole, FL 33716

727-289-7219 local  855-329-7199 toll free

  www.principleins.com

Flood Insurance Relief

Though some progress is being made when it comes to relieving coastal areas affected by the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and despite having bi-partisan support in the U.S. Senate and House on HFIAA- the proposed legislation would only delay the rate increases for several months for Pinellas County's "grandfathered" properties that were built to code but have since had a map revision by FEMA.

Additional legislation is needed to provide a long-term solution to pre-firm (homes built prior to 1974) homeowners, secondary homeowners, and business properties which are not covered under the HFIAA that is being voted on by Congress this month.

What can you do to make a difference?

Contact your local Representative and U.S. Senator to sponsor an amendment to cover the additional 51,000 properties in our area that are affected by the Biggert-Waters Insurance Reform Act!

Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Contact: Josh Reiner
D.C. Office: (202) 225-5755
Twitter: @RepGusBilirakis

Congresswoman Kathy Castor
Contact: Kevin Karpay
D.C. Office: (202)225-3376
Twitter: @USRepKCastor

US Senator Bill Nelson
D.C. Office: (202) 224-5274
Twitter: @SenBillNelson

US Senator Marco Rubio
Contact: Darren Achord
D.C. Office: (202) 224-3041
Twitter: @marcorubio

Principle Insurance is offering a 

private flood insurance alternative to FEMA flood insurance 

in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Ohio.

Contact Molly Rienerth for more information!

local 727-289-7219             toll free 855-329-7199       mrienerth@principleins.com